prop·o·si·tion
ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-shən 
1
a(1)
: something offered for consideration or acceptance : proposal
(2)
: a request for sexual intercourse
b
: the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset
c
: a theorem or problem to be demonstrated or performed
2
a
: an expression in language or signs of something that can be believed, doubted, or denied or is either true or false
b
: the objective meaning of a proposition
3
: something of an indicated kind to be dealt with
the farm was never a paying proposition
propositioned; propositioning
ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to make a proposal to
especially
: to suggest sexual intercourse to
Examples of proposition in a Sentence
Noun
He made an attractive business proposition.
The other company rejected their proposition.
Her theory rejects the basic proposition that humans evolved from apes.
If we accept proposition “A” as true, then we must accept proposition “B” as false.
The election will be a tough proposition for the mayor.
Verb
He was propositioned by a prostitute.
He got drunk and propositioned a woman sitting next to him in the bar.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Damien Scott, Fortune Crypto, 9 Sep. 2023
The Biden administration’s intent to lay out a value proposition for the Global South is a potentially important step in that direction.
—Michael Froman, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
In a spinoff, asking viewers to care more about the new characters than the old ones is a dicey proposition, but in short order, Isabelle establishes herself as one of the better characters the franchise has introduced in recent years.
—Jessica Liese, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023
The Base One Max 3-in-1 is a pricey proposition at $170, but many other true MagSafe chargers that can do the same triple-charging as the new Base One Max (and charge an iPhone at 15W speeds) often hover around the $150 mark.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 5 Sep. 2023
In 2022, voters in the state rejected a pair of propositions that would have legalized sports gambling, and the fight includes protecting the sovereignty of Native American tribes who control wagering in the state.
—Chris Bumbaca, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2023
The feasibility of work-life balance – or some semblance of it – is one of the key value propositions of this model, said Shaily Baranwal, the founder and CEO of Elevate K-12, a for-profit company that provides virtual teaching.
—Alia Wong, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
Still unknown is whether the measure’s backers or any of those challenging the city on the ballot proposition will seek review by the California Supreme Court.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023
Of course, no evidence is presented that both pitching and hitting led to the injury, but when did a Times’ writer need evidence before presenting a proposition as fact?
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2023
Leah Nylen, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2023
In our second example of why these two are so good together, behold Sam propositioning his buddy about going on an another adventure.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2023
Dern says to Cusack when propositioning him) and veracity an afterthought.
—Andy Kifer, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2023
Donham, who was a 21-year-old shopkeeper in Money, Miss., at the time of Till's killing, accused the teen of propositioning her and lewdly grabbing her at her family's grocery store on Aug. 24, 1955.
—Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2023
The writing of the moment when Beverly propositions Elliot with this plan, the writing is really completely extraordinary.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2023
The federal lawsuit accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, and inappropriately touching and propositioning employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 18 Apr. 2023
The 75-page federal lawsuit filed in October accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, inappropriately touching and propositioning female employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2023
As of late, celebrities and luxury brands have propositioned the prim above-the-elbow accessory as an anywhere and everywhere-type of garment.
—André-Naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2023
See More
Noun
The court also concedes that the state of industry regulation is in flux, but the best ammunition for the industry is language supporting the proposition that writing code underlying a smart contract does not a financial institution make.
—Damien Scott, Fortune Crypto, 9 Sep. 2023
The Biden administration’s intent to lay out a value proposition for the Global South is a potentially important step in that direction.
—Michael Froman, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
In a spinoff, asking viewers to care more about the new characters than the old ones is a dicey proposition, but in short order, Isabelle establishes herself as one of the better characters the franchise has introduced in recent years.
—Jessica Liese, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023
The Base One Max 3-in-1 is a pricey proposition at $170, but many other true MagSafe chargers that can do the same triple-charging as the new Base One Max (and charge an iPhone at 15W speeds) often hover around the $150 mark.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 5 Sep. 2023
In 2022, voters in the state rejected a pair of propositions that would have legalized sports gambling, and the fight includes protecting the sovereignty of Native American tribes who control wagering in the state.
—Chris Bumbaca, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2023
The feasibility of work-life balance – or some semblance of it – is one of the key value propositions of this model, said Shaily Baranwal, the founder and CEO of Elevate K-12, a for-profit company that provides virtual teaching.
—Alia Wong, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
Still unknown is whether the measure’s backers or any of those challenging the city on the ballot proposition will seek review by the California Supreme Court.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023
Of course, no evidence is presented that both pitching and hitting led to the injury, but when did a Times’ writer need evidence before presenting a proposition as fact?
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2023
Verb
But eight women told Bloomberg News that, over nearly two decades, Wright used his positions and influence to proposition female students, staffers and job applicants.
—Leah Nylen, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2023
In our second example of why these two are so good together, behold Sam propositioning his buddy about going on an another adventure.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2023
Dern says to Cusack when propositioning him) and veracity an afterthought.
—Andy Kifer, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2023
Donham, who was a 21-year-old shopkeeper in Money, Miss., at the time of Till's killing, accused the teen of propositioning her and lewdly grabbing her at her family's grocery store on Aug. 24, 1955.
—Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2023
The writing of the moment when Beverly propositions Elliot with this plan, the writing is really completely extraordinary.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2023
The federal lawsuit accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, and inappropriately touching and propositioning employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 18 Apr. 2023
The 75-page federal lawsuit filed in October accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, inappropriately touching and propositioning female employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2023
As of late, celebrities and luxury brands have propositioned the prim above-the-elbow accessory as an anywhere and everywhere-type of garment.
—André-Naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proposition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
1922, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of proposition was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near proposition
Cite this Entry
“Proposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proposition. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
proposition
noun
prop·o·si·tion
ˌpräp-ə-ˈzish-ən
1
: something offered to be thought about or accepted : proposal
a business proposition
2
: an expression (as in logic) to be proved or explained
3
: something of a certain kind which one must deal with
the mine will never be a paying proposition
fixing that roof will be a tough proposition
More from Merriam-Webster on proposition
Nglish: Translation of proposition for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of proposition for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proposition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share